Jean "The Dancing Machine" Dahlinger celebrates her 100th birthday at Barton

The year was 1914. Charlie Chaplin appears in his first movie. Ford Motor Company announces an 8 hour work day and a wage for employees of $5/day. Woodrow Wilson is President and Babe Ruth makes his major league debut. November 12th of that year was when Jean Dahlinger of South Lake Tahoe was born.

Today, 100 years later, Jean celebrated her 100th birthday at the Barton Mountain Cafe with family, friends and community members. Known as "The Dancing Machine," Jean was serenaded by the South Tahoe High Jazz Band as they played "Happy Birthday" and "America the Beautiful."

Jean was born on November 12, 1914 and raised in Los Angeles, California. She began attending dance school at age 5. By the age of 15, when the great depression started, Jean traveled all over the country as “Jean Dallon” with a dance theater troupe to help support her family. Because of her early dancing career, she never attended high school. Jean married and raised a family. When her husband passed away in 1971, she ran their pet store by herself until the age of 75.

Jean has lived in South Lake Tahoe for the last seventeen years. She boasts that she was never sick until the age of 95 when she broke her foot. She keeps herself busy by knitting hats on a loom and has made hundreds for friends, family, and her fellow skilled nursing residents, plus their children and grandchildren.

“Jean is known for her very positive outlook on life,” states Maureen Froyum, Activity Director for the Barton Skilled Nursing Facility. “I remember when she first came to the skilled nursing facility and she told me this is the smallest place she has ever lived, but she is the happiest! We love our Jean. Jean, the dancing machine, is what we affectingly call her.

”Jean is currently the Skilled Nursing Facility’s “Resident of the Month.” A colorful collage is on display with various pictures from her dancing career.